Device for stamping or marking meat.



A. D. MELVIN.

DEVICE POR STAMPING 0R MARKING MEAT.

. APPLIUATION FILED man, 1911.

V 996,025n y Patented Jun2o,1911.

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-AIJONZO D. MELVIN, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DEVICE FOR STAMPING OR MARKING MEAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 14, 1911.

-Patented June 20, 1911.

Serial No. 608,600.

(DEDICATED T0 THE PUBLIC.)

ton, District of Columbia,) have invented a new and useful Device for Stamping or Marking Meats.

This application is made under the provisions of the act of March 3, 1883, chapter 1413 (22 Stat., 625), and the invention herein described and claimed may be used by the Government of the United States or any ot' its lotticers or employees in the prosecution of work for the Government, or by any person in the United States without the payment of any royalty thereon.

The object of my invention is to provide a device that is inexpensive and simple in construction, and adapted to make a clear and distinct impression when used for stamping or marking meats. `When meats are shipped in interstate commerce, it is necessary that the meats shall bear certain marks indicating that the same have been inspected and passed under Federal supervision. These marks also disclose the number of the establishment where the inspection was made. It is the duty of the employees of the Gevernment to apply such marks to the meat. My invention is particularly designed for aiding these employees in performing the work of marking such meats.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention may be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part hereof, wherein-- Figure I is a face view of my invention, and Fig. II is a sectional view showing the shank detached from the handle.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a rubber head of suitable size to form a base for a stamp, having an integral rubber shank, B, at its top. Within the lower portion of the rubber head A, are partly embedded a plurality of pins, C. These pins may be made of steel, brass, or other suitable material, and are arranged in said head, A, in such a manner as to constitute a design or inscription.

D represents the handle, having a hole or opening E, in its bottom end. This hole, E, is employed for receiving the rubber shank, B. In order to secure the handle and shank in a workable position, I insert a rivet, F, through the handle near its lower end, which engages the upper part of the said shank. I also place a ferrule, G, on the bot tom of the handle.

I do not confine myself to the exclusive use of a handle as shown in the drawing, but a rubber handle may be constructed so as to constitute an integral part of the rubber head, A, thus avoiding the necessity of attaching the shank, B, to the handle, D, as hereinbefore described.

In practicing my invention, I cause to be partly embedded in the rubber head, A, a series of pins, C. lThese pins, C, when secured in position, represent a legend or inscription. Then I secure the rubber head, A, to the handle, D, by inserting the shank, B, in the hole or opening, E. This mounting is rendered secure by riveting the shank to said handle by means of the rivet, F. When the stamp or marker is so constructed, it is ready for use. The operator need only apply the marker to a pad saturated with ink. This action coats the pins with the required fluid and the marker is then lit for making an impression on meat or other object desired to be stamped. The rubber shank, B, is flexible. This flexibility of the shank enables the device to leave a clear mark on the object stamped, even though the surface thereof is not smooth or level.

I do not confine the use of the device herein described exclusively to stamping or marking meats, but the same may be applied in stamping or marking other objects.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A stamping device, consisting of a rubber head having an integral flexible rubber shank, pins forming an inscription partly embedded in said head, a handle having an opening at its bottom end for the reception 13 of said shank, and means for securing said shank in handle, substantially as specified. In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in the presence of two subscribed Witnesses.

ALONZO D. MELVIN. Witnesses:

J. A. RICE, C. C. CARROLL.

Copies of this patent inay be obtained for five'cents each, -byaddressing thev Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

